Learn from the Great Masters

Have you ever wondered how the most successful people or organizations became great? 

Often it is a lucky break coupled with a whole lot of preparation. 

No one taught me this lesson better than Master Class, a show that ran for six seasons on Oprah’s television network Own.  

The people featured in this show were hand-picked for their unique impact on the world. People who Oprah considered to be true modern-day masters - Academy Award winning actors, Grammy-winning musicians, ground-breaking politicians, pioneering entrepreneurs, among others.  

In each episode they shared their success journey, and their greatest life lessons, including how they overcame challenges and built a legacy. 

Each story was unique and different, but there was one common theme that often surfaced in these interviews. Almost everyone had a lucky break, and they were ready when opportunity struck. 

I distinctly remember the episode featuring James Taylor, a six-time Grammy award-winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer. 

During his interview, James Taylor shared that he got his big break after three years of intense work.  

Finally, with help from a network of musicians, he luckily got his demo into the hands of Peter Asher, at the exact time when Asher signed on as A&R (the person who finds new talent) at Apple records, The Beatles’ new record company.  

It was Peter who arranged for James Taylor to get an audition with Paul McCartney and George Harrison. And together they decided to produce a record together.  

It was a dream come true. One that came from both hard work and a series of lucky breaks. 

Many of the other people interviewed had similar stories. They got a lucky break after years of struggle. Or maybe it was their years of hard work that brought about the lucky break.  

Either way, this advice has served me well.  

While I’m nothing like the people whom Oprah has interviewed, I have often tried to use what I learned from these great masters – work hard, develop my skills, build a network, prepare for the unexpected. So, when opportunities come along, like attending the University of Oxford, something I never could imagine possible, I was ready. 

As a challenge this week, I invite you to take a moment to pause and assess where you are. Are you developing your skills or building a network? Are there things you can do to improve or to strengthen the foundation you’ve already created? 

You never know where life is going to lead you or what opportunities are on the horizon. Taking the time and effort to strengthen your skills and your network will set you up for success you didn’t even know was possible. 

Best wishes, Lauren